An ectopic pregnancy will give you a positive pregnancy test, as the hormone produced still gets into the blood stream. If you have a negative pregnancy test, would be very unlikely to be an ectopic, but there are rare situations when this can happen.

As well as a positive pregnancy test, typical symptoms for an ectopic pregnancy include:

• Pain, which is usually one-sided but may be more generalised.

• Bleeding - this is usually not very heavy and may be just a brown loss. The blood loss is thought to be due to the low hormone levels made by an ectopic, which allows the lining of the uterus to come away. • Fainting or dizziness, which may be due to internal bleeding lowering the blood pressure. Shoulder-tip pain. Blood in the abdomen can irritate nerves which are shared by the skin over the shoulder area.

It really isn't possible to self-diagnose an ectopic pregnancy and you shouldn't try to make a decision based on anything other than the pain. If are pregnant, or think you might be, and have pain which concerns you, then don't hesitate to see your doctor for advice.

Many ectopics happen just due to bad luck, but other risk factors making it more likely include:

• If you have had an ectopic before.
• If you have had pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or a chlamydia infection.

• Previous surgery on your tubes or a sterilisation reversal.

• Falling pregnant while using an intrauterine device (IUD or coil) for contraception.